A water-soluble extract of kava has been shown to be effective in short-term treatment of anxiety.
Australian scientists have determined that supplementation that lasts no longer than a week is safe and highly effective, as long-term consequences of kava use have not been determined, according to WebMD.com.
The three-week long study involved 37 people with generalized anxiety and depression. In the first week, all participants took a placebo. In the second week, half took kava tablets and the other half took placebo tablets. In the third week, the group that had taken kava tablets was switched to a placebo and vice versa.
According to research results, the participants reported much less anxiety when they were taking the kava than when they took placebo pills.
Depression levels were also lower, and no serious side effects were associated with kava use.
“Kava has been used in the Pacific Islands where it is grown for centuries without evidence of [adverse side effects],” said researcher Jerome Sarris, of Australias University of Queensland, quoted by the website.
“But they only use water-soluble extract and they only use the peeled root of the plant,” he added.
Other non-drug therapies that have been used by people suffering from anxiety and stress include exercise, healthy diet and herbal supplements with chamomile, valerian and passionflower extracts.
